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Mariners undecided on rotation for final week

Mariners undecided on rotation for final week

ANAHEIM -- Manager Eric Wedge said his pitching rotation for the final six home games would not be finalized until after Sunday, and he indicated it was possible Hisashi Iwakuma might not be used.

The club wants to see how Felix Hernandez fares Sunday in his first start since straining an oblique muscle Sept. 3 before determining if Hernandez will go one more time in the last series against the A's at Safeco Field.

"We've been talking about it; let's get through this weekend, and we'll watch Felix on Sunday and kind of go from there," Wedge said. "We have a couple different scenarios we've played out, depending on how it all goes."

One scenario would be to shut down Iwakuma, who has already thrown a career-high 211 2/3 innings. Asked if Iwakuma would definitely make one more start, Wedge hedged his answer.

"Well, he's throwing his bullpen today," he said. "How's that for an answer? As of right now we're planning on him starting. But everything is up in the air as we say that."

The only definite is that rookie Brandon Maurer will start Monday's series opener against the Royals. Seattle has three games with Kansas City, then an off-day Thursday before closing out with a three-game weekend set against the A's.

Iwakuma would normally be slated for Tuesday. If he doesn't go, rookie James Paxton could move into that slot and still pitch on the normal four days' rest.